Latest news with #Hürzeler
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Brighton star reacts to Bayern Munich transfer interest
Brighton Determined to Tie Down Mitoma Amid Outside Interest Mitoma signals Brighton commitment Kaoru Mitoma has expressed his desire to remain at Brighton & Hove Albion, with the Japan international keen to extend his current contract. Despite two years left on his existing deal, both club and player are looking to move forward with discussions on improved terms. According to Sky Sports, Mitoma wants to continue under new head coach Fabian Hürzeler. Photo: IMAGO Advertisement The Seagulls have made it clear they value Mitoma highly and are eager to reward his impact since joining the club from Kawasaki Frontale. His electric performances down the left flank have caught the attention of major clubs, including Bayern Munich, while Saudi side Al Nassr failed with offers during the January window. Bayern and Saudi clubs monitoring situation Mitoma's name has surfaced as one of Bayern's targets for the left-wing position. That level of attention is hardly surprising after a standout campaign in the Premier League, where his mix of acceleration, composure and tactical awareness elevated Brighton's attacking play. Photo: IMAGO Advertisement Still, Brighton's resistance to selling remains firm. 'We try to keep our best players,' said manager Fabian Hürzeler. 'Mitoma played a great last season but it's only because we as a club worked together. Then you can shine as individuals.' Hürzeler focused on growth The club believe Mitoma's development is still far from complete. Hürzeler added, 'I still think his limit is not reached yet. That's our job, his job, the job of the whole club to get the best potential out of the players.' Photo: IMAGO With pre-season on the horizon, Brighton are determined to keep one of their most dynamic attackers within their evolving project. Our View – EPL Index Analysis For Brighton fans, this is welcome news and reassurance at a time when top players at Premier League clubs are frequently lured away by richer suitors. Mitoma's willingness to commit to the club, despite interest from Bayern Munich and Saudi Arabia, reflects a player who clearly values development, purpose and environment over money and glamour. Advertisement There is a growing belief at the Amex that this squad can push on under Hürzeler. Mitoma remaining at the core of that ambition makes sense. He is a player whose talents are still unfolding and who fits the Brighton ethos, high work rate, tactical intelligence and team-first mentality. Supporters will rightly feel proud that Brighton have resisted the temptation to sell quickly. It signals a level of ambition that aligns with long-term growth rather than short-term gain. Mitoma committing to a new deal would not just be about keeping a key player, it would symbolise the club's shift from being a stepping stone to being a destination.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hinshelwood caps Brighton comeback against Liverpool to boost Europe hopes
Arne Slot spent the week partying in Ibiza after guiding Liverpool to their 20th league title with four games to spare. But against a Brighton team still desperate to qualify for Europe next season, the Dutchman and his side were brought back down to earth as Jack Hinshelwood's late winner with his first touch off the bench sealed a memorable comeback for Fabian Hürzeler's side. It was no more than the hosts deserved after twice falling behind to goals from Harvey Elliott and Dominik Szoboszlai, with Yasin Ayari and then another substitute – Kaoru Mitoma – equalising acrobatically to spark a frantic finale. Slot had no complaints as Mohamed Salah endured a night to forget in front of goal and Trent Alexander-Arnold looked relieved that he didn't even get on the pitch after being booed by his own fans last week. Brighton can now travel to Tottenham on the final day knowing that their fate is in their own hands having edged ahead of Brentford in the race for eighth spot. Related: Brighton 3-2 Liverpool: Premier League – live reaction Qualifying for the Conference League still relies on results elsewhere but this was a stirring response as Liverpool were beaten having led a match at half-time for the first time since December 2016, a run of 156 games. 'I was pleased with the togetherness we showed,' a delighted Hürzeler said. Slot's players would probably rather have still been on the beach in Dubai after their exertions this season. Federico Chiesa looked rusty as he was finally handed his first league start of the season after joining last summer, although Liverpool could have been out of sight had Salah taken a golden opportunity at the start of the second half. 'We saw how close the margins can be if we are missing two or three per cent,' Slot, whose side have now scored in every away game for the first time ever in a league campaign, said. 'We've been very close with every team we have played and that's why it is such a big compliment that we have won the league so early.' The Liverpool supporters did not seem too concerned about the result as they greeted the final whistle with jubilant scenes despite suffering a fourth league defeat of the campaign. They barely noticed Alexander-Arnold making a brief appearance on the pitch at the end before going down the tunnel ahead of his impending departure to Real Madrid. It had taken only nine minutes for his replacement's name to be sung by the away end after a blistering start by the visitors. Conor Bradley was given acres of space after being picked out by Salah and driving into the area, with Elliott on hand to tap home. Having spent the weekend watching bitter rivals Crystal Palace win their first piece of major silverware, the Brighton supporters hadn't been thrilled to see their players giving Liverpool their latest guard of honour. But Hürzeler's side played their part in a high-tempo first half, even if Bradley should have doubled Liverpool's lead when he was set up by Chiesa's quick feet but the Northern Irishman dragged his shot wide. Kostas Tsimikas was fortunate to escape when Danny Welbeck's header appeared to strike his hand as it was deflected just off target but there was no sign of any intervention from the video assistant referee. Brighton didn't have to wait long for their equaliser as a lovely combination between Brajan Gruda and Ayari allowed the Sweden midfielder to deceive Alisson with a clever finish. Yet a lapse of concentration cost them on the stroke of half-time when no one picked up Szoboszlai from a quick free-kick and his cross-cum-shot flew into the top corner. Hürzeler looked less than happy as he disappeared down the tunnel and his side came out with renewed purpose after the break. Alisson produced a full-stretch save to tip away Welbeck's free-kick before holding on to a stinging drive from Gruda as Yankuba Minteh waited to pounce. To the delight of the home supporters, somehow Salah contrived to miss from eight yards out when Cody Gakpo teed him up perfectly moments later. '[Salah] has been throughout this season almost inhuman,' Slot said later. 'But there were moments where he is human … it's not the first time that he's not scoring for one or two games in a row. The good thing for us is this hardly ever happens and, if it happens, you can be sure that he will score in the third game or the fourth game.' Welbeck had almost as good an opportunity at the other end following a sumptuous backheel from Gruda inside the area but his shot was straight at Alisson. That was the prompt for Slot to ring the changes just as Alexander-Arnold emerged to warm up for the first time before promptly taking his seat again. Darwin Núñez almost had an instant impact when he and Bradley set up Salah again but Bart Verbruggen made a sharp save. Instead, it was a Brighton substitute who had the crucial impact as Mitoma lashed home after Alisson parried Welbeck's drive into his path. The equaliser seemed to breathe new life into Hürzeler's players. The hosts thought they had a penalty when Mats Wieffer went down in the box, before the goal by Hinshelwood – whose 17-year-old cousin Harry Howell was also brought on for his debut late on – was confirmed after an agonising wait for VAR to show Matt O'Riley was onside before he crossed the ball.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Premier League and FA Cup semis: 10 things to look out for this weekend
George can be the difference for Chelsea Tyrique George has caught the eye since breaking into Chelsea's first team. A homegrown talent, the 19-year-old winger has done well in his Conference League outings and is in contention for his first start in the league when Enzo Maresca's side host Everton in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off. Fast, direct and sharp on the ball, George has quickly become a favourite with supporters and he lifted some of the pressure off Maresca after coming off the bench to score an excellent equaliser in Chelsea's comeback win at Fulham last weekend. Thrown on as a striker, George made it 1-1 with a fine shot from the edge of the area. It was the latest in a series of positive contributions from the teenager. His enthusiasm could make a difference against Everton. Jacob Steinberg Advertisement Chelsea v Everton, Premier League, Saturday 12.30pm (all times BST) Hürzeler needs to snooze, not lose 'I have been trying to improve my sleep but it doesn't happen overnight,' said Fabian Hürzeler this week. The Brighton manager – 'dressed head to toe in Stone Island' for his interview with GQ Magazine – revealed he had employed a sleep expert who recommended changing his daily routine. 'Because of that I bought an electric bike for the half-hour commute to work. It helps me relax more than going by car.' With West Ham visiting the Amex Stadium on Saturday, Brighton supporters will be hoping that Hürzeler's peace of mind can inspire a turnaround in their fortunes after a miserable few weeks that have derailed their push for Europe. Graham Potter's side have a terrible record against his former club, having beaten them once since Brighton were promoted in 2017, although that came the last time this fixture took place, at the start of last season. Ed Aarons Brighton v West Ham, Premier League, Saturday 3pm Can McKenna prolong inevitable drop? Should Jack Clarke start for Ipswich or, more likely , step off the bench, he can be expected to be greeted by resounding boos. That is the fate of any former Sunderland player appearing at St James' Park. But Clarke might welcome a bit of recognition after a season in which his newfound status as a bit-part player has served as a microcosm of the gulf between the top and second tiers. The winger starred at Sunderland last season, prompting the initial £15m transfer fee that transported him to East Anglia. The only problem was that Premier League full-backs have proved far less susceptible to his advances than their Championship counterparts. While his old friends at Sunderland prepare for the playoffs, Ipswich will have their relegation rubber-stamped unless they beat Champions League-chasing Newcastle. All eyes will be on Liam Delap, Kieran McKenna's much-coveted centre-forward. Chelsea and Manchester United may be favourites to sign Delap this summer but Newcastle retain an interest and this could prove a timely audition. Louise Taylor Advertisement Newcastle v Ipswich, Premier League, Saturday 3pm Saints look to dodge unwanted record Could this be Southampton's day of glory? After reaching the monumental heights of 11 points last week with an injury-time equaliser at West Ham, Simon Rusk's side could surpass Derby in 2007-08, the worst team in Premier League history, if they avoid losing against Fulham. The first positive for Saints is they did just that at Craven Cottage in December with a goalless draw, one of four league games they have not lost away from home this season. Unfortunately, their home form is somehow even worse. They have won once, against Sean Dyche's appalling version of Everton, and battled to draws with Ipswich and Crystal Palace. With Manchester City and Arsenal to come in their final Premier League games at St Mary's for a while, this is a fantastic opportunity to put the points tally concerns to bed. Better news for Saints fans is that Fulham have endured a late-season wobble, losing their past two matches to leave them potentially eyeing up their summer holidays. Will Unwin Southampton v Fulham, Premier League, Saturday 3pm End of an era for Vardy and Leicester Jamie Vardy's exit at the end of the season marks the end of an era for Leicester City, with the 38-year-old the last remaining member of the 2015-16 title-winning squad. Relegation this campaign will invariably trigger change and there are big decisions for the chairman, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, to consider. Ruud van Nistelrooy is unlikely to start next season in charge, while the work of Jon Rudkin, the director of football who began at Leicester as a part-time academy coach, is the subject of much disillusionment. If Vardy plays every remaining game this season, starting at Wolves on Saturday, he will break the 500-game mark in a Leicester shirt. His achievements will go down in club folklore. Vardy is worthy of the statue mooted after he announced his departure on Thursday – but now Leicester need new heroes. Ben Fisher Advertisement Wolves v Leicester, Premier League, Saturday 3pm Emery finds himself in another dogfight Considering the teams Aston Villa have beaten this season, including Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City, it will irk Unai Emery that in three matches against Crystal Palace they have failed to win, losing away and drawing at home in the league, and losing at Villa Park in the League Cup. It has been almost 30 years since Villa last won a major trophy and playing a team five places and 12 points below them in the league should be an ideal situation. Oliver Glasner seems to be one step ahead of Emery at the moment, though. Even in the 2-2 draw at Villa Park, Palace were the better team and repeatedly hit the hosts on the break. It will be up to the Villa manager to find a way to counter the speed of Eberechi Eze and Ismaïla Sarr, or Saturday's FA Cup semi-final could be the biggest disappointment of the four meetings with Palace this term. WU Crystal Palace v Aston Villa, FA Cup semi-final, Saturday 5.15pm Amorim should know the kids are all right Ruben Amorim will use more of his youngsters in the coming weeks as he prioritises the Europa League semi-final against Athletic Bilbao. Manchester United desperately need to qualify for the Champions League and this is the only route back to European football next season. Amorim showed his intent by starting the highly regarded Tyler Fredricson and Harry Amass against Wolves. On the bench, however, the only academy player present was Chido Obi. That seems strange considering Jaydan Kamason, Godwill Kukonki and Jack Moorhouse were named as substitutes against Lyon. There were even three centre-backs for the Wolves fixture, including Jonny Evans, whose time at the club is rapidly running out. If Amorim is to take his policy seriously, he needs to back the kids. WU Advertisement Bournemouth v Manchester United, Premier League, Sunday 2pm Don't expect Spurs to spoil Anfield party One point, just one point, and Tottenham will leapfrog Wolves into 15th providing Vítor Pereira's in-form side suffer a surprise home defeat against Leicester the day before. Apologies for the flippancy, but that sums up the meagre opposition standing in the way of Liverpool and a monumental party on Sunday. Anfield awaits a second Premier League title in five years, although it will be the first time since 28 April 1990 that fans will be able to join the celebrations when Arne Slot's side get the job done. They could not have picked a more inviting opponent than a Spurs team who have endured 10 away defeats in the league – only relegated Leicester and Southampton have more. Liverpool have already beaten Spurs 6-3 and 4-0 (the latter in the League Cup) this season, and Tottenham have a Europa League semi-final first leg to come next Thursday. Having won the league by beating Spurs at Anfield twice before, in 1981-82 and 1987-88, it would register as a seismic shock should the hosts fail to make it a hat-trick on Sunday. Anfield has waited long enough. Andy Hunter Liverpool v Tottenham, Premier League, Sunday 4.30pm Gibbs-White gears up for City audition Morgan Gibbs-White has been linked with a move to Manchester City this summer as Pep Guardiola seeks a creative replacement for Kevin De Bruyne. The England international's majestic skills as an attacking midfielder are a key reason behind Forest's challenge for a Champions League spot and progress to an FA Cup semi-final. The 25-year-old has scored five and assisted nine in 29 Premier League appearances. It is this level of output that has attracted City; it shows he has the dynamism and physical attributes to make a difference for an elite team. Forest have a previous Wembley hero, their former manager Steve Cooper, to thank for his arrival at the City Ground. Despite Wolves not budging on their £35m price, Cooper did not want second-best. Gibbs-White will have another chance to show Guardiola what he has in his locker and how he can perform on the biggest stage. WU Advertisement Nottingham Forest v Manchester City, FA Cup semi-final, Sunday 4.30pm Fans left for dust by overuse of Wembley There are tickets still available to buy in the Manchester City end at Wembley on Sunday. It is even possible for supporters to buy four seats at a time, although that might not be advisable with many priced at £90, £120 and £150 each. There should be plenty of room to spread out without snapping up extra seats for the sake of it. Partly, the issue is that City have been to Wembley more times recently than anyone cares to remember. The prospect of another expensive day out, including a lengthy trip to London on unreliable trains, is not the enticing prospect it once was for their fans. Besides, hosting a semi-final between teams from Manchester and Nottingham in northwest Londonis pointless and inconsiderate. The FA needs to reconsider their strategy and utilise the country's many top-class and more convenient stadiums because, once again, it looks like no one cares about supporters. WU
The Guardian
04-04-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Glasner and Hürzeler set friendship aside as Palace ready for Brighton test
When Fabian Hürzeler called Oliver Glasner a few days after his appointment by Brighton last June, he found the Crystal Palace manager was only too happy to offer a few pointers about life in the Premier League. 'He is very helpful and open-minded,' Hürzeler later said. 'He is a role model, I think, in how he acts and how humble and grounded he is.' Although Glasner and Hürzeler were managers in Germany at the same time at Eintracht Frankfurt and St Pauli respectively, they worked in different divisions and had not come face to face until Ismaïla Sarr scored twice in a 3-1 Palace victory at the Amex in December. The Austrian had warned his Brighton counterpart in one of their frequent chats that their friendship would be put aside for the afternoon as arch-rival clubs met in the fixture some outsiders have taken to referring to as the 'A23 derby'. It is doubtful Glasner and Hürzeler have discussed the hazy history of a rivalry that can be traced back to the 1970s and a spat between their predecessors Terry Venables and Alan Mullery. But as they prepare for the latest showdown at Palace on Saturday, both will be fully aware of its significance for the supporters. Such have been the fine margins between the clubs that this fixture at Selhurst Park has ended 1-1 for the past five seasons, Palace not having tasted victory in front of their fans since April 2018. Yet Glasner's side go into the game as marginal favourites to complete the double over Brighton for the first time since they were both in Division Three South in 1933 given their superb recent form, even if a run of five straight wins in all competitions was ended by Wednesday's draw with Southampton that the manager attributed to his players being 'mentally tired' after recent exertions. Victory at St Mary's would have taken Palace to within five points of Brighton with a game in hand, after they failed to win any of their opening eight Premier League fixtures. They have an FA Cup semi-final to come against Aston Villa, and Glasner will know that a league finale to match last season's six victories in their final seven matches could catapult Palace into European contention for the first time (other than in the Intertoto Cup after relegation in 1998) via their finishing position. Ending above Brighton for a second successive season may be a more realistic ambition, having failed to do so on two occasions since their rivals were promoted in 2017. Graham Potter guided Brighton to ninth in 2022 before Roberto De Zerbi's historic sixth-placed finish 12 months later meant the club qualified for Europe for the first time. Palace have never ended higher than 10th since promotion in 2013 but look capable of pushing further up the table. Not since a decade ago when Alan Pardew racked up eight wins in his first 12 matches after joining from Newcastle have they been so handily placed at this stage of the season. Last week's surprise departure of Dougie Freedman as sporting director could throw a major spanner in the works in the coming months, however. Glasner revealed this week that the highly regarded former Scotland forward, who is joining Al-Diriyah, a Saudi Arabian club recently promoted to the second tier and owned by the Public Investment Fund, had 'a feeling' it was time to leave after eight years in his role. Freedman played an integral part in assembling the current squad, helping to sign Marc Guéhi, Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton among others, and is understood to have passed on a list of potential summer targets before stepping down. So it was fitting that Matheus França, who he heavily scouted before signing him from the Brazilian club Flamengo in August 2023 for €20m (£17m), scored his first Palace goal to equalise against Southampton after struggling with injuries. The chair, Steve Parish, must find a replacement as he tries to persuade Glasner to sign an extension to a deal that ends next season but contains a 12-month option. Parish opened negotiations with Glasner last month amid interest from RB Leipzig. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Hürzeler will have two years on his contract at the end of the season and looks certain to be at Brighton in August whatever the outcome of this campaign, such is the impression the 32-year-old has made on the hierarchy and beyond. Brighton were denied the opportunity to join Palace at Wembley by their FA Cup penalty shootout defeat by Nottingham Forest before being outclassed by Aston Villa in a disappointing performance that was greeted by boos from some home supporters. Beating Palace would be the perfect riposte and boost their chances of qualifying for Europe again; only four points separate them and fifth-placed Manchester City. As has come to be expected at Brighton, planning is well advanced for next season under another Scotsman, the sporting director and former Everton defender David Weir. They confirmed the arrival of the England Under-18 winger Tommy Watson from Sunderland for £10m this week and it is understood they also have a sell-on clause for Viktor Gyökeres, the Sweden striker who was sold to Coventry in 2021 and plays for Sporting in Portugal. He has been linked with a big-money summer move to Arsenal or Manchester United. More immediately, Hürzeler must find a solution to the absence of Brighton's record signing, Georginio Rutter, for the rest of the campaign with an ankle injury sustained against Forest as Brighton try to spoil Palace's progression and get their season back on track.
The Guardian
02-04-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio continue form as Aston Villa leap past Brighton
Fabian Hürzeler has had better weeks. After the agony of being dumped out of the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday by Nottingham Forest in a penalty shootout, there was more heartache for the Brighton manager as Marcus Rashford's third goal in his last two matches, yet another for Marco Asensio and Donyell Malen's first for the club gave Aston Villa a crucial victory in the battle for a top-five finish. It meant Unai Emery's side moved above Brighton and vastly improved their chances of matching last season's achievement of qualifying for the Champions League. They still have to play fourth- and fifth-placed Manchester City and Newcastle in the run-in but after making some shrewd acquisitions in January, including Rashford and Asensio – who now has eight goals for Villa since joining on loan from Paris Saint-Germain – you wouldn't bet against them doing it. Hürzeler criticised his team for 'playing soft' during their defeat to Forest and urged them to take out their frustrations on a Villa side that began the game two points behind them in the table. With fears that both record signing Georginio Rutter and Adam Webster could be out for the season after limping off against Forest, the Brighton manager made five changes, with Brajan Gruda entrusted with the No 10 role in Rutter's absence. It took Villa's fans less than five minutes to remind their hosts that they are heading to Wembley later this month to face Brighton's arch-rivals Crystal Palace with a chorus of 'Que Sera'. With the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against PSG to look forward to as well next week, Emery made only two changes from the side that eased past Preston as John McGinn was deployed in an more advanced role. The Scotland midfielder came close to opening the scoring when his header from a Lucas Digne cross went wide as Villa made the more promising start. Rashford – Villa have an option to make his move from Manchester United permanent in the summer for £40m – had sight of goal after an immaculate touch to control a long ball forward but screwed his shot wide. Matty Cash was much closer with a powerful drive that whistled just over the crossbar, while Simon Adingra curled his effort inches past the far post following a swift break downfield involving Kaoru Mitoma. The livewire Emery was by far the more active of the two managers on the touchline, although Hürzeler sprang to his feet when the referee Stuart Attwell waved away appeals for a penalty after Mitoma went down rather easily under pressure from Cash inside the area. The Villa full-back could not resist offering his own opinion that the Japan forward had dived as the pair had to be separated by the fourth official Simon Hooper. Mitoma forced Emi Martínez into a save before Villa had their own appeals for a penalty turned down despite the video assistant referee taking a long look at Jack Hinshelwood's challenge on Jacob Ramsey. Brighton felt they had another shout for a penalty when Yasin Ayari's free-kick cannoned back off the post and struck Ramsey on the arm but again Attwell said no. It was going to take something special or a lapse in concentration for one side to break the deadlock and there was a bit of both about Rashford's goal at the start of the second half. Jan Paul van Hecke's header from a corner was straight at Martínez and the Villa goalkeeper wasted no time finding Morgan Rogers with a quick throw. His pass over the top was perfect for Rashford to race on to and he squeezed the ball past Bart Verbruggen into the net via a deflection. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Brighton thought they had found the perfect riposte when Adingra swept from close range minutes later but, much to Hürzeler's annoyance, VAR ruled out the goal after replays showed Mitoma had used his arm to control the ball in the buildup. A fit-again Ollie Watkins was one of three Villa substitutes as Rashford's night came to an end midway through the second half, with Emery attempting to close out the victory. Not to be outdone, Hürzeler made a quadruple change for Brighton as Danny Welbeck and Carlos Baleba were summoned from the bench. But it was Asensio who made the difference when he finished off a lightning quick break to fire home a pass from Rogers before Malen rounded off the scoring in injury-time to give Villa's Champions League hopes a real shot in the arm.
